Kneeling bench



Mar. 27, 1923.

P. H. CAIN KNEELING BENCH FJJed Nov 5 1921 I INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Mar. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATS PAUL H. CAIN, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

KNEELING BENCH.

Application filed November 5, 1921. Serial No. 513,176.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL H. CAIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful 11nprovements in Kneeling Benches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a kneeling bench and particularly to a bench constructed in knock-down form.

The main object of the invention is that of providing a kneeling bench of fairly good size that may be readily taken apart to reduce its bulk so as to be easily and conveniently transported.

Another object is that of providing a kneeling bench of generous proportions and of knock-down form that may be con veniently carried and that may be assembled at the place of use, such as funerals, or in places of worship, and which can be taken apart and placed in a carrying case of quite moderate proportions.

Another object is to furnish a kneeling bench which includes a kneeling-platform in the form of a container or carrying case, a hand-rail, and uprights for supporting said rail, said rail and upright when disassembled being so adapted as to be packed in said container or case for easy transportation.

Those having charge of or directing funerals, have, in the past, made use of a kneeling arrangement merely consisting of a block or a box covered by a rug or the like but this has been found to be very unsatisfactory from the fact that no grasping rail was provided by which, especially the aged, could support themselves while in the act of kneeling, and arising from the kneeling position.

Since a bench of the required type and size would be too bulky to form part of a funeral directors outfit, I have devised the form herein to be described, or an equivalent thereof, that can be conveniently carried, that will require comparatively small space when packed for'transportation, and that when set up for use will be thoroughly rigid, strong and reliable.

In the appended drawing showing the preferred manner of constructing a kneeling-bench, though susceptible 'to changes with regard to details of construction of and as to the manner of securing the parts relatively,

I Figure 1 shows in perspective the kneeling bench of my invention.

F gure 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan of a container or carrying-case forming part of the structure of the bench when set up for use and for containng parts of the structure when such bench 1s disassembled.

Figure a is a vertical section of parts of the invention showing means for securing said parts relatively when assembled.

Figure 5 is a vertical section of portions pf the bench showing holding means there- Figure 6 is a plan of parts of a hand-rail. Figure 7 shows the same in perspective.

- Figure 8 illustrates in perspective the manner of connecting an upright and a part of a hand-rail supporting portion.

Figure 9 shows in perspective parts of said hand-rail supporting portion shown in Figures 1 and 8, and

Figure 10 showsa modification of a handrail structure as difiering from what is shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7.

The numeral 1 designates a container or carrying-case answering as a kneeling platform, which, in thepresent instance, takes the form of a boX, provided with a lid 1, and having a width sufficient to provide a considerable kneeling surface and of a height most convenient for kneeling purposes.

The box is such a height as to provide a bench of proper proportion with reference to the height and width thereof. At each end of the box is erected a support or standard 2 which in the present instance has an arbitrary measurement in height substantially two-thirds that of the length of the box to present a pleasing proportion. Said supports merely by choice have a vertical rear edge while the front edge may be curved or otherwise formed to present an attractive appearance. As shown, however, the upper extremity of each is comparatively narrow, corresponding substantially in width with a hand rail 3, to be described, and which they both carry, and said front edge of each support describes an Ogee or reverse curve from top to bottom, the base portion being quite wide or a little less in measurement than the internal width of the box 1.

Suitable means are provided for holding th supports and said box in connected relation and which will admit of quick ongagement and disengagement, while thoroughly staunch and reliable. As an ex ample of such means I have shown'in Figures 3 and 4 a downwardly turned hook at secured to the inner side of thesupport and directly opposite it is a recess 5 in the boxend, covered partially by a plate 6, the latter forming a projection with which the said hook 4; engages when the lower edges of the supports are dropped upon the floor flush with the bottom of the said box 1. By such an arrangement, or its equivalent, the box and supports are thus firmly held relatively, it being understood that the recess in each plate 6 admits of the hook 4 being readily inserted, it being apparent that the positions of th hook and the plate 6 and the recess 5 may change places since within the meaning of my invention, it being preferable, however, to have no projecting hook on the box-ends.

At the upper end of each support in its inner surface is a recess 7, Figure 8, partially covered by a plate 8 after manner of those at the box-ends, 9 is a board of two portions hinged at 10, or otherwise connected so as to be either taken apart or folded, as fancy may dictate, the opposite ends of said board each having a downwardly turned hook 11, corresponding to the hook 4, for example, each of which is adapted to engage one of the plates 7 on said standards, but one of such plates being shown. The arrangement thus far described, or its equivalent, form a very rigid structure as may be seen. 1 i

The hand-rail 3 previously referred to, is preferably of two ortions as clearly shown in Figures 6 and and in broken lines in Figure 1. Any manner of connecting these may b mployed such as hinging them after the manner shown in Figure 10, or substantially as illustrated with respect to the board 9, Figures 1 and 9, the hinge 3 being heneath the rail holding it rigid and thereby downward, pressure will have little effect in depressing the latter. Or one of the parts may be notched as 12, Figures 6 and 7, a tongue 13 being created on the adjacent end of the other part and so formed as to slidably engag on another securing the two parts rigidly as regards lateral movement relatively'.

At each end of the rail thus furnished is a pin 14 projecting from its lower or under surface, adapted to enter and rest in sockets 15, for example, in the upper ends of the supports 2, Figures 5 and 8. This arrangement serves to hold the rail in. place and incidentally provides a further means to stiffen the structure.

It is to be observed that the sections of the board 9 carry the hinge 10 at the side so that the hinge pin is disposed vertically forming a firm support for the hand-rail 8, preventing the latter from sagging or being forced downwardly by pressure thereon.

However, I may notuse the said board 9,

merely using the rail 3 alone when properly constructed to withstand any reasonable amount of downward pressure thereon, either of the means-described and shown in Figures 6, 7 and 10, or even other forms, answering the purpose.

Due to th fact that the hand-rail and the board 9, if used, are as long or longer than the internal longest measurement of the box 1, and since it is the desire to place the supports 2, the said hand-rail 3 and. the board 9 within the box, the-two last named members are made either separable or foldable as explained whereby the reduction of their bulk may be accomplished.

However, my invention contemplates the construction of a bench wherein the rail and said board, if used, may be made shorter {)han the said internal measurements of the As a finish for the bench a suitable drapery 16 may be attached at one edge to the rear side of the hand-rail, thence being drawn over the latter and allowed to drop upon and cover the box-top and its front side substantially as shown.

The measurement of the bench when set up may, for example, be as large as 16x30x44= inches over all, and yet may be reduced in bulk, the several parts i. e. the supports 2, the rail 3 and board 9 being packed in the box whose measurement outside may be as small as 7x16x88 inches for a bench of the above dimensions. The hinged lid 1 shown in Figure 2, may be properly secured or locked, and a suitable handle on one of the narrowest sides of the box serves as a convenient means for carrying the complete outfit in its reduced, easily portable form.

I claim 1. In a kneeling bench, in combination, a platform, a supporting member upstanding from each of its ends, a hand-rail supported upon the members consisting of two parts each including coacting means to secure them against relative movement in one direction laterally, coacting means onthe rail and members for holding them relatively! rigid in use, and a member consisting of two parts hingedly connected extending between the first said members adapted to interlock therewith, and coacting means by which they may interlock, said two-partmember being positioned beneath the rail, supporting it, the axis of the hinged parts being disposed perpendicularly to the under surface of the said rail.

2. A kneeling bench including, in combination, a pair of supporting end members, a hand-rail adapted for detachable connection to the said members and consisting of two hingedly connected parts, a member also adapted for detachable connection with the said end members and likewise consisting of two parts, the same arranged to lie beneath the hand-rail receiving the same upon it, and a box, having a hinged cover, with which the lower extremities of the end members are arranged to be detachably connected, said box adapted to have stored therein all of the described parts.

3. A kneeling bench including, in combination, a pair of supporting end members, a hand-rail adapted for detachable connection to the end members and consisting of two hingedly connected parts, a member also adapted for detachable connection with the said end members and likewise consisting of two hlnged parts, the same arranged to lie beneath the handrail receiving the same upon it, the hinge pins of the l1and-rail and member lying perpendicular to one another in use, and a box, having a hinged cover, with which the lower extremities of the end members are arranged to be detachably connected, said box adapted to have stored therein all of the described parts.

In testimony whereof I afiix my! signature in presence of two witnesses.

PAUL H. CA'I N.

Witnesses:

W. H. EMMoNs, E. L. SMITH. 

